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WashingtonSB 54862025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning open motion picture captioning in motion picture theaters.

Sponsored By: Member 14205

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Ads must mark open‑caption showings

Theaters must advertise open‑caption showtimes like other showings and mark them with “OC.” This helps patrons find captioned screenings. This starts January 1, 2026.

Closed captions at all eligible showings

Theaters must provide working closed‑caption devices for every screening of a movie that is produced and available with closed captions. Devices must be well maintained and offered to the general public. This requirement starts January 1, 2026.

Open‑caption showings at large chains

If a company runs five or more theaters in Washington, it must schedule open‑caption showings when a film is produced and distributed with open‑caption files and the theater’s digital projector supports them. Each such theater must schedule at least five open‑caption screenings. In the first two weeks, it must offer at least two, and at least one must start Fri 5:59–11:01 p.m. or Sat/Sun 10:59 a.m.–11:01 p.m. After week two, it must offer at least one per week that starts within these windows: Mon–Thu 5:59–10:01 p.m.; Fri 5:59–11:01 p.m.; Sat/Sun 10:59 a.m.–11:01 p.m. Overlapping open‑caption showings at the same theater count as one toward the minimum unless avoiding overlap was not practicable. Theaters may offer more than the minimum. This starts January 1, 2026.

Request open captions at small theaters

If a company runs four or fewer theaters and its projector supports open‑caption files, it must show an open‑caption screening within eight calendar days after a request, or follow the large‑chain schedule. Theaters must post contact information on their websites to receive and fulfill open‑caption requests. These rules start January 1, 2026.

Drive‑in theaters are exempt

Drive‑in theaters are not covered by the open‑caption rules in this law. This exemption begins January 1, 2026.

Theaters must keep compliance records

Theaters must keep documents that show they followed the open‑caption rules. Records must be kept for at least one year. This starts January 1, 2026.

Key terms and start date

The law defines closed captions, open captions, motion picture theater, and theater company. These definitions explain who must follow the rules and who is covered. All parts take effect January 1, 2026.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Member 14205

    House

Cosponsors

  • Manka Dhingra

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 163 • No: 28

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 34 • No: 14

House vote • 4/10/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 84 • No: 11 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 45 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 1/1/2026.

    5/19/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 355, 2025 Laws.

    5/19/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/19/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/27/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/26/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/25/2025legislature

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/22/2025House

  8. Passed final passage; yeas, 34; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 84; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/10/2025Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/1/2025Senate

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/28/2025Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    3/28/2025Senate

  16. CRJ - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/28/2025Senate

  17. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/28/2025Senate

  18. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.

    3/13/2025Senate

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/11/2025Senate

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/11/2025Senate

  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/11/2025Senate

  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/11/2025Senate

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2025Senate

  24. WM - Majority; without recommendation.

    2/28/2025Senate

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

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